“Teamwork makes the dream work” may sound like a tired cliché, but at the end of the day, it became a cliché for a reason; it’s true. While it applies to a wide variety of activities, organizations, sports, and businesses, it definitely applies to REALTORS®. From your relationships with mortgage officers to your experience with home inspectors and appraisers to the title companies that make closing your clients’ deals a breeze, everyone has a part and plays a role in doing what’s best for the people you represent.
While each part of the home buying and selling process has its own requirements and prerequisites, how you, as a fiduciary to your client, interacts with each of the people in these different steps can dramatically influence the entire transaction. Collaboration and communication are key. Here are a few ways that you can enhance your teamwork skills.
Understand Your Goal
It’s in everyone’s best interest for you to do your job well. It’s also in everyone’s best interest for them to do their job well. The mortgage banker earns a commission, the inspector earns his fee, the title company collects their closing costs; it’s a win/win.
With everyone on the same page you can align your actions and create the synergistic results that your client deserves.
Be Reliable
You should provide the same type of accountability that you expect people to provide for you. Responding to emails, phone calls, and texts, as well as the other things that can occur during a real estate transaction are essential to completing it smoothly. Be sure to meet your deadlines and take care of your objectives so that everyone else can do theirs; expect the same from them.
Listen Actively
Active listening
is a valuable skill. You can drastically improve your retention and communication skills by focusing, asking questions, paraphrasing, asking for elaboration, and more. These simple, quick actions can mitigate misunderstandings and problems down the road.
Manage Your Time
Because everyone is going the same direction, the way you
manage your time, and the way they manage theirs can impact your arrival. Solid time management skills are imperative to make sure that you have done what you need to have done on time. You should expect the same from other parties.
These are only a few ideas for how to be the best teammate you can be. As a professional, knowledgeable REALTOR®, all of these actions are in the best interest of your clients, your prospects, and people you work with on a daily basis.